News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe

A Russian-linked disinformation operation seeks to fan Polish-Ukrainian tensions amid the latest rift over historical grievances, a monitoring group told the Kyiv Independent on June 23.

"We are ready to resume (peace talks) at any time, picking up where they left off," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed.

A railway bridge across the North Crimean Canal, fuel facilities, and military infrastructure across occupied Crimea were struck in a large-scale overnight Ukrainian operation, Ukrainian military officials said on June 23.

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Alexander Lukashenko that Belarus would have one week to remove the equipment facilitating Russia's attacks, or Kyiv would take action, remarks that the Kremlin said Lukashenko and his Russian counterpart would discuss "in the foreseeable future."

Kryvyi Rih, one of the main industrial centers in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, came under a Russian ballistic missile attack at around 11 a.m. local time.

Twelve vessels transported wheat through the Russian-occupied port of Mariupol over the past five months, according to the statement.

"Our team has a clear task — to achieve concrete agreements that will enhance Ukraine’s defense capability and resilience, and expand economic cooperation with our partners," Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on June 23.

The ministry said it opposes any forced transfer of North Korean POWs to Russia or North Korea and has communicated this position to Ukrainian authorities.

Russia launched 135 Shahed-type attack drones overnight on June 23, Ukraine's Air Force said.

The Turkish-owned, Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Victress was the worst hit, with Russian drones sparking a large fire on the bridge and killing a 58-year-old Egyptian cook on board.

As war reshapes Ukraine’s economy, small businesses are turning to foreign markets to survive, grow, and build long-term resilience.

The number includes 1,390 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.